Working their way to stardom

From being a bellhop to Mission: Impossible. 10 celebrities' first jobs.

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Before the red carpets and million-dollar paychecks, many of the stars we know today were punching clocks at jobs that looked a lot like the ones we or our neighbors had. Even if their names are big today, they started small, and they surely remind us that fame doesn’t come overnight. The road to stardom can be a mop or a tray of food. Let’s see some of these A-listers’ first jobs.

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Long before he charmed audiences as James Bond, Sean Connery was a milk deliveryman around Edinburgh. He also tried his hand at bricklaying, lifeguarding, and even polishing coffins. That experience with manual labor gave him the determination and physical presence that fit perfectly once Hollywood came calling with a license to kill.

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Tom Cruise may be one of the most bankable action stars today, but his first gig was hauling luggage as a hotel bellhop. Can you imagine him doing that? Carrying bags wasn’t glamorous, but it taught him about hustle and hard work. Not long after, he traded in suitcases for scripts… How fast can fortunes turn, right?

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Before Seinfeld became a TV star, Jerry was hustling in New York City, selling light bulbs over the phone and even hawking fake jewelry on the sidewalks. Those odd jobs gave him endless material for comedy about the absurdity of everyday life, which became the backbone of his stand-up and, eventually, his hit show, Seinfeld.

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Whoopi’s road to fame wasn’t particularly easy. She once worked as a beautician in a morgue (yes, you read that right!) and also spent time on construction sites as a bricklayer. Imagine the resilience and a sharp edge those experiences gave her, and how much they helped her shine on stage and screen.

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When Jim Carrey was a teenager, his family faced tough times, and he took a job cleaning factory floors. Sweeping up was a far cry from the slapstick comedy that later made him famous, but it gave him empathy and a strong work ethic.

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Before she became Rachel on Friends, Jennifer Aniston was dialing numbers as a telemarketer. Cold calling strangers wasn’t exactly fun, but it gave her persistence and a thick skin. When she landed her breakout role, she turned those early struggles into one of the most beloved TV characters of the ’90s.

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You may know her as Queen Elizabeth, but long before playing queens and winning Oscars, Helen Mirren was at an amusement park in Southend, England, working as a promoter. Talking up roller coasters and fun houses must have given her a taste of performance and persuasion. It might not have been regal, but it was her first step toward a royal acting career.

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Ellen DeGeneres tried out plenty of jobs before comedy stuck. She worked at JCPenney and TGI Fridays, picking up people skills and funny observations along the way. Those early experiences shaped her wit and conversational style, which later made her stand-up and talk show so inviting to audiences.

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Jon Bon Jovi once worked in a Christmas decoration factory and later as a janitor. Those modest jobs couldn’t hold back his music dreams. Once his band hit the charts, he swapped broomsticks and ornaments for guitars and global fame.

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Before slicing through the screen as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman was teaching gym class in England. As a physical education teacher, he spent his days coaching kids in sports and fitness. But he was so much more; it was his natural energy and presence, which later helped him leap from the classroom to Broadway stages and Hollywood blockbusters.

UNEARTHING SLANG MEANING

The Luck Of The Irish: 10 Popular Sayings From The Emerald Isle

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According to the latest census, more than 31.5 million residents in the US claim to have Irish ancestry. Large states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have the largest percentage of Irish Americans. So, even if you’ve never been to Ireland, you’ve probably heard one of these expressions at least once. But, do you know exactly what they mean or where they come from? Don’t worry, we've got you covered. Here are 10 of the most popular Irish slang words and phrases and their meanings.

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The literal meaning of this phrase is "The best part of the morning to you" and is used as a greeting to wish somebody a good day. If that’s not sounding Irish enough, you should know that the traditional response for it is: "And the rest of the day to yourself".

This phrase was commonly used in all of the UK in the Victorian Era but fell out of use only to be revived later as a stereotypical Irish expression. Although it may have originated in Ireland, you probably won’t find a single Irish person saying it today. Maybe Hollywood had something to do with transforming it into a cliched Irish-ism?

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Every March 17th when we prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day we dust off the famous phrase "Erin go bragh". But do you know exactly what it represents? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Erin go bragh today means "Ireland forever". However, the original Irish expression was Erin go brách (or go bráth), which translates as "Ireland until eternity" or "Ireland till doomsday."

This popular statement originated during the 18th-century Irish rebellion against the British and was used to convey loyalty and devotion to the land. Later, a group of Irish volunteers joined the Mexican side in the Mexican–American War waving about a green flag with a harp and the motto Erin Go Bragh. In the decades following, similar flags have been used at different times to express Irish nationalism. So now you know the real story behind this historic expression!

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Depending on the tone, this phrase can sound harsh or affectionate. Stop acting the maggot is an informal expression used to describe someone who is acting rowdy, lazy, or foolishly. If a friend or relative —especially the littlest ones— is not doing what they are supposed to and they are getting on your nerves, you can say "cop on" which also means stop "acting the maggot".

Like with many other slang terms or idioms, it is hard to trace the origin of this one. How such a disgusting creature as a maggot made its way into an expression used for decades is a mystery. However, it is a popular saying you’ll hear often in Ireland. You’ll also even find it printed on t-shirts and mugs!

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You’ll frequently find the word craic in songs and other pop culture references. The truth is, craic became a staple in Irish slang, now used to describe a good time or a fun experience. The term comes from the Old English word "cracian" which meant an abrupt sound or sharp noise.

With time, the word came to convey general noise or commotion, and by the 20th century, it had morphed into a more positive term meaning enjoyable experiences. It’s pronounced like "crack" and you’ll probably hear it in the famous phrase What's the craic?, that is, "What’s happening?" or "Is there anything going on?".

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This one is another St. Patrick’s classic and a pub staple. If you ever had a drink —or five— with Irish people, you most certainly have heard the expression Sláinte!

Commonly used when lifting a glass to toast, this interjection literally translates to "Good Health". The word derives from the Old Irish word slán, meaning "healthy" or "safe" and it's pronounced slawn-sha. In other words, it is the Irish version of the English Cheers!

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This expression is a colloquial way to indicate a long period of time, similar to saying "for ages" or "for a very long time". Although it is believed to have originated in British English in the early 20th century, it is a very popular phrase in Ireland. Commonly used when you are not sure about an exact amount of years, it likely comes from the idea that donkeys live a long time compared to other animals, for example, horses.

Another plausible explanation is that it is a pun on the long ears of donkeys. In this case, the origin may have more to do with rhyming slang, taking advantage of homophones, that is, the similar pronunciation between the two words.

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The term yoke originated in Northern Ireland and has deep roots in the local culture. It is commonly used to refer to anything, person, or object when you don’t want to specify its actual name or title. The word yoke is likely derived from the Old English word geoc, which refers to a wooden frame used to harness animals.

Either as a placeholder when used to refer to an object or as a funny way of invoking a memorable event, yoke is an incredibly versatile word that can be applied in different situations. Specifically, the expression You're some yoke! is used to address someone affectionately, meaning something similar to "You're pretty awesome".

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If you are ever in Ireland and in need of a restroom just ask anyone: Where's the jacks?According to the legend, the first-ever multi-cubicle toilet was invented in 1806 by an Irish man called Jack Power. He is said to have had 38 children, so no wonder he was in desperate need of some privacy.

Although he patented his system, people insisted on calling it "Jacks". The more angry he became with him being associated with going to the toilet, the more people continued to address it this way. By popular belief, Jack eventually changed his name and moved to the UK. Urban myth or not, for the Irish, a toilet will always be referred to as "the Jacks".

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Feeling tired and worn out? Has your car broken down? Then you are in need of the Irish slang word banjaxed. This term is widely used in Ireland to describe something —or someone— that is not working properly. It derives from the verb banjax, meaning "to damage or smash", although the exact origin of the word is not known.

Despite its defeatist connotation, it is an expression that is used colloquially and even humorously. So don't be afraid to drop a banjax here and there if you ever feel frustrated. It will take the weight off any problem!

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We didn’t want to end this article without saying goodbye —unlike the Irish! Well, to be honest, that’s a bit of a stretch. It’s not clear what is particularly Irish about the so-called Irish exit, meaning making a sneaky departure from a gathering without saying goodbye first. According to Dictionary.com, the expression can be traced back to Boston, Massachusetts, a city with a large Irish-American population.

Some suggest it has to do with Irish hospitality and the fact that their parties tend to go on for a long time, so it’s just easier to sneak out. Others associate it with the reserved personality of the Irish, who preferred not to draw attention to themselves. We’ll never know for sure, but if you ever find yourself feeling a bit tipsy it is okay to make an Irish exit to avoid revealing how drunk you really are!